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When teaching English to young learners an instructor must be sure to keep the lessons fun and interesting. Indoor lessons that involve the use of a textbook, reading, writing and a set structure can quickly become boring to children and may make them loose interest in learning. Outdoor activities can provide the children with with a sense of freedom to have fun and explore while still learning English. One example of a common children’s game is I Spy. This game can be played indoors but is often more fun when played outdoors, as there are more things to see and encounter as opposed to inside. I Spy is a good game to play for learning new vocabulary. Different objects can be referred to using colors, shapes, sizes and textures. Another outdoor activity option is a scavenger hunt. Young children usually enjoy playing outside and picking up different objects such as rocks, leaves and flowers. If the students are at a level of learning where they understand or are learning about colors and textures then the teacher could organize the activity around the relevant vocabulary. For example the teacher could give each student or pair of students a sheet of paper with instructions asking them to find something smooth and green or rough and brown. After the hunt the class could come together to compare and discuss what everyone found. Occasional field trips are a good outdoor activity. Class trips to the local zoo or park give the students an opportunity to practice vocabulary and English conversation skills. On a trip to the zoo students could use their knowledge of English words for different animals and types of environment.For example if the students saw a family of gorillas the teacher could ask where do gorillas live, what color are they and what do they eat. A trip to the public library or museum may be considered examples of indoor activities, but they are “out of the classroom” activities. On a trip to the library students could look for English books that interest them. On a trip to a history or art museum students could learn about important historical figures of their country with the English commentary and input of their teacher. They could look at paintings, drawings or sculptures and describe them in English. An outdoor picnic lunch or snack time on school grounds or in a park is highly likely to be a success with young learners of any age. Both small children and older children will enjoy the break from the usual indoor setting. This can also have benefits for the teacher as well. The teacher can encourage the students to have conversations using words that they know. Depending on the language level of the students topics can include the temperature or weather conditions, sounds they hear, animals or plants they see or the types of food they are eating. At the end of any outdoor activity the teacher could ask each student to write a bit about how they enjoyed the outing and if they have any suggestions for future activities that they would enjoy. In conclusion, activities such as these keep the minds of young learners active and show them how what they learn in the classroom can be used in everyday conversation. Students will stay motivated if their English lessons do not always revolve around a textbook, chalk board and classroom lecture. Outdoor activities allow both students and teachers to have a well deserved break from the sometimes stuffy classroom while still learning, working, improving and having fun.
